Optometer.



I. FOX.

OPTOMETBR. APPLIOATION FILED JAN.14, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

1H.: Nunms PETERS co., wnsmvcrom n c FEED @AFE% lPtAFiltl @i IVAN FOX, FMEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FOX OPTICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0FPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

OPTOMETER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVAN FOX, citizen of the United States, residing atMedia, in the county ot' Delaware, State of Pennsylvania, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in ptometers, of which the followingis a specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in optometers and particularly tooptometers ot the construction shown in the United States patent toVilliam and Archibald G. Thomson, No. 843,503.

One or" the objects of my invention is to provide a construction inwhich the scale and the pointer or indicator are maintained in accurateregistration and in which there is practically no likelihood ofaccidental displacement of one in respect to the other.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved means foroccasioning and .effecting relative adjustment between the lensesentering into the construction of an optometer, such for instance asthat shown in the Thomson patent to which reference has been made.

Other objects of my invention will more tully appear in the tollo'wiugdetailed description of my invention.

A convenient embodiment ol my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication, but it is tobe understood that changes may be made in the details oi constructionwithout departing from my invention.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation of an optometer embodyingmy invention, the support or standard therefor being omitted; Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section of a portion of an optometer embodying myinvention; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an inner tube constituting apart of my invention; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4; of F ig. 2;Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. l; Fig. G is a sectionshowing a detail of the construction; and Fig. 7 is av view showing amodified construction of the inner tube corresponding to the tube shownin Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the outer tube of an optoineterand 2 designates a holder for eye pieces or glasses of knownconstruction such for instance as that shown in the patent to Thomson,No. 843,502.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 14, 1908.

Patented Sept. 2"?, 12M).

Serial No. 410,770.

Although not shown it will be understood that an eye lens is securedwithin the tube or equivalent device l at the end adjacent to the holder2. As my invention relates to other parts of the device, it is deemedunnecessary that such lens be shown in the drawings.

3 designates a revoluble tube or equivalent device located and securedwithin the outer tube l and which is shorter than the said outer tube asshown in Fig. 2 of t-he drawings.

The inner tube or equivalent device is provided with a shoulder orenlargement at its outer end as indicated at il, which is provided witha circular groove 5. A projection from holders or clips 8 which aresecured by screws 9 to the outer tube l, extends into the groove 5 sothat the inner tube 3 is held revolubly in the tube l. Revolution of thetube 3 is occasioned by means of a gear wheel l0, in engagement with acircular gear ll, secured to the end of the tube The gear 'll may beformed integrally with the tube S or may be constructed separately andatteruuird secured by soldering or otherwise to the end of the tube 3.The gear wheel 10 is supported at one side ot' the tube l and the outerend of the tube 3, adjacent to the gear 11, upon the end of a shaft 12which is supported in a bearing 13 projecting laterally from a member orholder l5, secured by screws 1G to the side ot the tube l. The outer endot the holder or member 15 is provided with a recess or hollowed-outportion in which the gear wheel l0 is located, such wheel beingprotected from dust, etc. by the surrounding walls of the recess.

The shaft 12 is'rota-ted when desired by means ot a thumb or fingerpiece 20, upon it-s outer end. A scale 2l is located upon the surface ofa circular plate 22, which is connected by means of screws, one of whichis shown at in Fig. 2, to the gear ll and thus to the end oi the innertube 3. A lens carrier consisting of a tube or equivalent devicecarrying a lens 3l is located in- Vteriorly of the tube or similardevice 3.

In order that there may be longitudinal movement of the tubes Stand 30relatively to each other, they are connected by means of guide slots 32,provided in the tube or equivalent device 30, into which the elongatedguides 33 secured to the interior ot the tube or equivalent device 3,project. From an inspection ot Fig. 2 et the drawings, it is obviousthat such connection permits the tube or equivalent device to movelongitudinallywithin the tubes or equivalent devices l and To etlfectVthis longitudinal movement of the tube or equivalent device 3G, l havetermed integrally therewith or otherwise secured thereto,the curvedguides 35, separated a short distance from each other, forming aguide-wav 36. Located in this guide-way between the guides is a pinorbolt et() carrying a revoluble guide ring f-l-l, projecting into theguide-way 3G. The gin or bolt ii() is stationarily connected to the tubel in any suitable manner as may be desired. in the construction shownthe pin or bolt Ll() has screw-threaded connection with the bloclt orcarrier 42, which is secured by means o1 screws it?) to the side of thetube or similar device l.

A boss or projection le termed integrally with or otherwise secured. tothe block or carrier il2, is located between the said block or carrierand revoluble ring al. The latter is held upon the pin or rod 40 by theup-set portion 45 ot the latter. rlhe boss or projection #le is locatedin an opening el@ in the side of the tube or equivalent device l.

By reason of the connection described between the tube or'equivalentdevice 3 and the tube or equivalent device 30, rotation or revolution ofthe former occasions revolution of the latter. Revolution of the latteroccasions longitudinal movement thereof, by reason of the projection ofthe pin or rod 40 into the curved guide-way 36, between the guides Itwill be understood that the direction of longitudinal movement ot thetube or equivalent device 30, will depend upon the direction ot itsrevolution.

In the use of the optometer the person whose eyes are being tested looksthrough the instrument from the end provided with the eye-piece holdingtrame 2, and by turning the gear wheel l0 occasions revolution of theinterior tubes or equivalent devices 3 and 30 and thus occasions alongitudinal adj ustment of the tube or equivalent device 30. Then anadjustment is reached which produces the clearest vision t'or the personlool;- ing through the instrument, the point of such clearest vision isnoted by examining the scale Q1 and noting the position of the pointeror indicator 5() in relation thereto. Such pointer and scale indicatewhether a positive or negative lens will be required to correct thedetect ot vision and will also indicate to one skilled in the art, theamount of correction necessary.

ln Fig. T l have shown a modiiied construction ot` tube 30, in which theguides 35 are omitted and a curved guide slot 56 is provided in the tube55, by cutting out the material thereot- When a tube of thisconstruction is employed, the operation is eX- actly the same as hasbeen described in connection with my preferred form ot' constructionshown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive.

The device may be connected to any suitable support in any convenientand desirable manner. l have shown a projection GO from one side ot' thetube or equivalent device l, provided with a hole 61, by means ot whichthe device may be connected to its support.

Having thus described my invention I claim l. In an optometer, thecombination of a tube, a lens carrier movably supported in the saidtube, means supported upon the said tube and having connection with thesaid lens carrier and being adapted to occasion revoluble movementthereof, a gear connected to the said means, a gear-wheel supportedindependently of the said means in engagement with the said gear, andmeans for causing longitudinal movement of said lens carrier.

Q. ln an optometer, the combination of a tube, a lens carrier revolublymounted in the said tube, means for occasioning longitudinal movementbetween the said lens carrier and the said tube when the said carrier isgiven a movement of revolution, means supported upon the said tube andhaving connection with the said lens carrier for occasioning revolutionof the latter, a gear connected to the said means, and a gear-wheelsupported independently of the said means in engagement with the saidgear.

3. In an optometer the combination of an outer tube or similar device, atube or similar device located interiorly ot' the said outer tube orsimilar device, a lens carrier operatively connected to the second namedtube or similar device, the said lens carrier being provided with aguide-way extending spirally thereof, means for occasioning revolutionof the interior tube or similar device and the lens carrier, and meansprojecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said guide-wayto occasion longitudinal movement of the lens carrier simultaneouslywith its movement of revolution.

In combination, an outer tube or similar device, an inner tube orsimilar device having a guide located upon its inner surface, a lenscarrying tube or similar device having a guide-way into which the saidguide projects, means for occasioning revolution of the inner and lenscarrier tubes or similar devices, and the lens carrying tube beingprovided wit-h guide-way extending spirally thereof, and meansprojecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said spiralguide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carryingtube or similar device simultaneously with its movement of revolution.

5. In combination, an outer tube or similar device, an inner tubeorsimilar device having guides located upon its inner surface, a lenscarrying tube or similar device having guide-ways into which the saidguides project, means for occasioning revolution of the inner and lenscarrier tubes or similar devices, and the lens carrying tube beingprovided with a guide-way extending spirally thereof, and meansprojecting from the outer tube or similar device into the said spiralguide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carryingtube or similar device with its movement of revolution.

6. In an optometer, the combination of a tube or similar device, a lenscarrying tube or similar device situated in the said tube or similardevice, and the said lens carrying tube or similar device being providedwith guides extending spirally thereof to torm a spiral guide-way, meansfor occasioning revolution ot the said lens carrying tube or similardevice, and means projecting from the tirst named tube or similar deviceinto the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the saidlens carrying tube or similar device.

7. In an optometer, the combination ot a tube, a tube located interiorlyot the tirst named tube, means :tor securing the last named tube withinthe first. named tube, the said means permitting revolution ot the saidsecond named tube, means supported upon the first named tube andcooperating with means upon the second named tube to occasion revolutionof the latter. a lens carrying tube operatively connected to the secondnamed tube, the said lens carrying tube being provided with a guide-wayextending spirally thereof and stationary means engaging the saidguide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carryingtube.

8. In an optometer, the combination oit a revoluble tube, a lenscarrying tube operatively connected to the said revoluble tube andrevolving therewith, the said lens carrying tube being provided with aguide-way extending spirally thereof, means for oceasioning revolutionof the said tubes, and relatively stationary means projecting into thesaid guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lenscarrying tube.

9. In an optometer, the combination et a tube, a revoluble tube locatedinteriorly ot the iirst. named tube, a lens carrying tube operativelyconnected to the second named tube and adapted to revolve therewith andto move longitudinally thereof. a gear wheel supported upon the tirstnamed tube, a gear' operatively connected to the second named tube andwhich has engagement with the said gear wheel whereby revolution ot thesaid second named tube may be occasioned, and relatively stationarymeans located in the said guide-way to occasion longitudinal movement etthe said lens carrying tube when it is revolved.

10. In an optometer, the combination ot' a supporting carrier, a lenscarrier situated in the said supporting carrier, the said lens carrierbeing provided with a guide-way, means operatively connected to the saidlens carrier to occasion revolution thereof, a scale operativelyconnected to the said lens carrier and revolving therewith, an indicatorcooperating with the said scale, and means projecting into the saidguide-way to occasion longitudinal movement of the said lens carriersimultaneously with its movement of revolution.

11. In an optometer, the combination of a hollow supporting member, alens carrier movably supported in the said member, means havingconnection with the said lens carrier and adapted to occasion movementthereot', a gear connected to the said means, and a gear-wheel supportedupon the said simporting member in engagement with the said gear tooccasion rotation thereof.

12. In an optometer, the combination of a supporting member, a revolublelens carrier support-ed by the said supporting member, a gearoperatively connected to the said revoluble lens carrier, a.bracket-like member supported upon the saidlsupporting member, a gearwheel supported upon the said bracket-like member and being inengagement with the said gear and adapted to occasion revolution thereofwhereby revolution et the said lens carrying member is occasioned, andmeans interposed between the said lens carrier and the said supportingmember to occasion longitudinal movement et the said lens carriersimultaneously with its movement of revolution.

13. In an optometer, the combination ot an outer supporting tube, aninner rotatable tube having a gear operatively connected thereto, a gearwheel supported upon the outer supporting tube and being in engagementwith the said gear, means for oceasioning rotation ot the said gearwheel whereby rotation of the said gear and the inner tube connectedthereto may be occasioned, a lens carrying tube connected to the saidinner tube so as to rotate therewith, the said lens carrying tube beingprovided with a spiral guide-way, a guide projecting from the said outersupporting tube into the said guide-way, the said guide-way and the saidguide cooperating to occasion longitudinal movement of the lens carryingtube simultaneously with its movement otl rotation.

14. In an optometer, the combination of an outer supporting tube, aninner rotatable tube having a gear connected to its outer end and alsohaving a groove extending around its outer end portion, a device securedto the outer tube and having a projection extending into the Said grooveto Secure the outer and inner tubeS together, a pinion supported uponthe outer tube and having engagement with the gear upon the inner tube,means for occasioning rotation of the said pinion whereby rotation ofthe said gear and the inner tube connected thereto may be occasioned, alens carrying member connected to the said inner tube and being providedwith a spiral guide-Way, a guide projecting from the outer' supportingtube into the said guide-Way, the said guide-Way and the said guidecooperating to occasion longitudinal movement ot the lens carryingmember.

In testimon7 that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereuntosigned my name this eleventh day of January A. D. 1908.

S. SALONE BROOKE, CARRiE E. KLEINFELDER

